Apparatus for mining sulfur.



'1o other words, tothe obtainment of sulfur .UNITE-D STAT- Es PATENT OFFICE HERMAN FRASCH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FRASCH SULPHUR COMPANY, .A CORPORATION OF MAINE rnoonss l APPARATUS FOR- MINING SULFUR.

Specification of Letters-Patent.

Application filed October 30, 1903. Serial No. 179,233.

To lfwhom it 'may concern:

'Be 1t known that I, HERMAN FRASCH, a citizen of the United Sta-tes, residing at New York city, borough of Manhattan and county of New. York,4 in the State of New York,

. have vinvented new and useful Improvements and the other on thedi in Apparatus for -Mining Sulfur, of which the following is a specification.

' 'This -invention relates more particularly to the mining of sulfur by fusion, or, in

from an underground deposit by melting it thereinand then raising itin the melted.

state to the surface of the ground; but each of the improvements constituting said invention is intended to be secured for all the uses to which it may, with or without modifcation, bel 'adapted` l-Ieretoforel Patents 461,429 and 461,480, both dated October 20, 1891', were granted to me for, respectively,

suchprocess and for' apparatus to be used 1n carrying the saine Vinto effect. Subsequently, 'on May 9.7, 1897,. an application, ofiicially numbered (338,357, `was filed for an improved process and apparatus more particularly deslgned to meet difficulties inci- 'dentto'mining sulfur lby fusion in porousdeposits, which are'naturally flooded with water, Asa result of official requirement, said application was divided. Patents No. 799,642 and No.1 800,127 were granted September 19, 1905, the forner on the original isiorial application. Inall these prior apparatus there was a system ofppiping forc'onveying fusing-Huid under pressure to the underground deposit,

violence, projectin and in the case of the said patents there was `Ininel piping for returning the fusing fiuid under pressure to the surfaceof the ground. SometimesftheV Huid-conveying piping has caped through .the surrounding earth with dirt .and stones in all directions before t efsupfply.- offiuidl under pressure could bel stoppe -ThegloWerl portion of the `fluid-con-veyin'gpiping was found to have settledl and inf. some i'lnstancesrto have disappeared, v.The pa'rtingand settling'- are attributedto a sinkmg'or. caving of the rock containing o r overlying the sulfur deposit; land they haveA taken place, unexpectedly, Without apparentwarning. They have happened in recoveringsulfur from a porous Water fiooded deposit, with hot water introduced without return as the fusing fluid; but it is possible that tney ....g-.. otherwise occur; and the present invention is not restricted to the use of hot Water as .the fusing fiuid, nor to the introduction of the fusing fluid without return.

ln accordance withthe present invention, the difficulty is overcome or amelio'rated by making the mine piping for conveyance underground of the fusing fluid under pressure, or an appropriate part of such piping, in telesco-ping sections, so that the lower section can be carried down without interrupting the continuity of the piping. vIn order to raise the melted sulfur, an appropriate pipe is employed, and it has been found ad-y vantageous to have a discharge for the fusing fiui'd in proximity to the intake for the melted sulfur. Such an arrangement of discharge (for the fusing fiuid) and intake v(for the melted sulfur)l is shown in my said apparatus patent of October 20, 1891, and in both. my said patents of September 19, 1905. As soshown, how'ever, fusing'fluid (namely, hot Water) is apt to enter with the sulfur to such an extent as to be objectionable. Vater, for example, at the temperature of melted sulfur has vto be. held under considerable pressure and, unless the melted sulfur is discharged under sufficient pressure (as shown in my said patents fof October 20, 1891, but since dispensedwith), the water turns into steam in the sulfur pipe. vandin lso doing absorbs heat, so that, `if present in sufficient amount, its vaporization will cool the sulfur enough to interfere with its flow.,

In accordance withthe present invention, the discharge for the fusingfluid is placed 'less near the sulfur intake, say, about two and a half feet above said intake, or as much more or less as may be found expedient, and a close heater is inter osed between the said Patented nee. 6, 1910.

discharge and the said intake, in order to keep`, or aid in keeping, t-he sulfur inthe melted-state. This5 close heater is most cona return bend or veniently made b havin uid below its said passage for the usingl discharge.' .r I -To deliver the melted sulfur, the sulfur fpipeis provided with anew, 'or improved 'nozzle,.'which forms part of the inventionl and which has a side delivery (most advantageously consistin ofa number of small holes) and is inclosed ma widercasing for stopping the' projection laterally of the melted sulfur. When the melted sulfur is vhead c.

delivered by the aid ol compressed air instood that other i'i'ioditications :an be made and any suitable fusing fluid ei'nployed so long as thesubstance is taken of any one ory more of the hereinafter written claims.

Figure 1 is a diagram, illustrating sulfurini'ning apparatusin accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a-detail view. in section, ot' the lower part of the sulfur pipe and the inner hotI water pipe; Figs. 3 and 4t. are diagrams illustrating other forms of mine pipingii'i telescoping sections, also within the invention.

The lower section n, of the outer hoty water pipe rests at the bottom on the rock,V while the upper section 7), which is provided with the casing head c and telescopes with the lower section, is-supported in any suitable way, as, for example, by the clamp nl at the surface of the ground.

As shown in Fig. 3, Vthe 'upper section Y overlaps the lower section so much, say, 250

feet,- tha-t the-tei'idency of the water to torce itself-between the sections and out under thel bottoni'of the upper section, is resisted by the' earth., In Fig. i, however, the upper section is shorter (say, 40 feet in length) and therev is a packing between the two sections to prevent the passage ot the water, This packing is of a sort (herein termed slidable) to allow the sections to move longitudinalijs,1 with reference one to the other without destroying the tightness of the joint between them and is best made after the manner oit a stuiling box, with a gland e in the ,form of a ring screwed on thel top of the lower casing section and a follower f in the form ot a ring adjustably held against the packing y/ by means of nuts It on the ends of bolts j whose lower ends are anchored in the body of the gland c. The pipe 7i: for conducting hot water tof the bottom of the mine may be supported in any' suitable way. In Fig. 3 it is shown as suspended Jfrom a clamp l, which is upheld by -eet resting on the ground, and in Fig. 1 from -a clamp m, which is upheld by feet rest-ing on the easing 'ingthe invention into etlect, water being` used as the fusing tiuid, and it also sets forth certain modifications. It will be under! 'there an advantage in having the clamp m supportial by the casing head, especially when the upper pipe section is short-,in :Haat the weight ot the interior pipes aids in' lioldii'ig down said section against the pressure ot' the hot. water inside, which tends to raise the saine. The section b could also be :ulditiomilly loaded as hereinafter described with reference to Fig. 4.

The sulfur pipe n has'a collar p near the bottoni which` rests upon the pipe closure or plug g in the interior of the water pipe 7c, the lower end of the sulfur pipe projecting into the strainer 7 at the bottom of the water pipe le. The plug g' normally separates the strainer from the bore'of the 'water pipe, but, when the sulfur pipe is lifted out, the water from the pipe r can enter the strainer and clear its perforations. l

liistead ot allowing the hot water to escape ininiediatel y above the strainer fr, the

discharge composed of openings is placed higher up, in order to diminish the liability oi: the water getting into the sulfur pipe. In order, however, to insure 4the liquid condition of the sulfur below said discharge-s,

the here of the water pipe l: is extendedbelow said discharge 8 -and is returned upon itself. Thisreturn bendI or passage is best. made by a partition t in the water pipe la, which partition is annular as shown and has a flange at the'top and perforations at the bottom. The water passes down between the sulfur pipe n (which is here preferably reduced in diameter as shown) andthe annular partition t, out through the'perforations in the partitioiunp between the annular partition t and the wall of water pipe la and out through the openings s into the mine cavity.

The pipe w delivers compressed air into the melted sulfur, so that the average density of the column is lessened sutliciently for the pressure in the mine to force the melted sulfur to the surface of the ground and out through the nozzle m into the vat y, built up of ordinary wooden boards and timbers. The nozzle m is closed at' the bottoinbut has perforations in the sides, of Smaller diameter than the bore of the sulfur pipe, through which perforations the melted sulfur and air, with more or less water Vapor,

ico

are delivered. Around the nozzle is the easi ing z which catches the fluids ejected from ever, devised a valve which is specially adapted for pipes which convey melted sulfur, the same Aforming the subject of my application No. 179,231, filed of even date herewith; and Fig. 1 exhibits such valve in elevation. The nozzle is moved to another vat, and the sulfur valve being reopened (if previously closed) 'the'. introduction of compressed air and the delivery of the melt# ed sulfur are resumed.

At 5 is shown a valved hot water pipe connected with the sulfur pipe between the sulfur valve 4 and the well. lWhen desired, the sulfur valve 4 being closed and the delivery of compressed air beingstopped, hot water can be forced down the sulfur pipe, in order to clean the strainer (without lifting the sulfur pipe) or to increase the water for melting. The sulfur which is then melted collects in the bottom of the mine cavity, and is subsequently removed.

At 6 is the hot water pipe connected with the casing head c.- The water from it passes through the lower section a of the outer hot water pipe into the upper part of the mine cavity.

At 7 is the branch through which hot water is supplied to the inner hot water pipe 7:, whose discharge s is near the bottom of the mine cavity.

In Figs. 1 and -3 the telescoping sections a and b of the outer hot water pipe are both embedded in the ground. 'Ihe lower section a is necessarily so embedded; but,the telescoping portion thereof, with the section b, need not be underground, yeither in whole or in art.

In ig. 4, the section b' is entirely above ground,.and has the sup orting clampv d at its lower end, instead o at its upper end, as in Figs. 1 and 3. There is an advantage in this arrangement in giving more convenient access to the stuffing box or slidable packing means between the sections a and b but the length of the mine piping is greater than in the arrangement l,of Fig. 1, which exhibits what is considered the bestI form of apparatus.'

The clamp m rests, as in Fig. 1, on top of the upper telescoping section of the outer hot water mine pipe; but, according to the arrangement of Fig. 4, it would beelevated lFigi. 1 and 2) about'forty feet, more or less (or to such distance as may be thought best), above the surface ofthe ground.

The pipe section b, to guard againstits .not being suHicient-ly weighted otherwise to resistthe inside pressure, may be provided -with additional welghts in any suitable way.

For exam-ple, there may be a tank 8 resting on the flange 9 on the pipe section' 7) and the tank 'may be Afilled with water or any other material. The pipes n and w. being supported by the pipe 'k (through collar p, and the pipe k by the pipe section?) thrughthe clamp m, the weight of these -pipes tends, as in Fig. 1, to hold down the pipe section a In Fig. 1, the loweiI section a is embedded in the ground below the bottom ofthe lippei section Z for the whole depth between the surface of the ground and the rock which contains or overlies the sulfur deposit and on which the lower section rests, except for about forty feet at the top, where it is inclosed by the upper section 7). In Fig. 3 the embedded portin would be less than such whole depth by about 250 feet (that having been mentioned above as the amountof overlap for the sections in Fig. 3). I'n Fig. 4 it is embedded below the bottom of the upper section Z) for the whole distance to which the pipe (composed of said sections) extends below ground, the upper section being showlr aswholly above ground. In any case, therefore, the lower section is shown as embedded in the ground below the bottom of the upper section for not less than a substantial. Consequently, subsidence of the ground at the lower part of the well may take place over many feet'without drawing down the upper section. Moreover, the lower section telescopes with the upper for a great enough distance to allow a considerable sinking without breaking Athe continuity of the pipe a b.'

The figures (of forty feet and 250 feet,l respectively, for the upper section 1)) are given by way of example. They are eachA `intended for a well much more than 250 feet deep. A substantial portion of the depth of any well to which a mine pipe in telescoping sections Vis likely to be employed may be taken as not less than ten feet.; although it is not intended to assert that the portion of the wells depth.

embedded portion of the lower section below i the bottom of the upper sect-ion would probably in any case be as small in actual prac- -tice as this minimum, or even two, three,

four, or fivetimes the same.

There is an' advantage in having the lower sect-ion a of smaller diameter than the upper section b; for the well hole where it receives the lower section may then be no larger in diameter than suiices to 4receive such section of smaller diameter; whereas, if the lower section were the larger `in diameter, all the well hole above the lower end of such section must be of correspondingly large diameter.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2,' it will be observed that the pipe la forms a close heater below the discharge s, between said discharge and the sulfur intake at the lower by said pipes and the sulfur pipe n when sulfur is not being raised, is forced out through theporous roc-k, and made to flow away underground. L The melted sulfur collects in a Jool around the lower endl of the pipe n an seals the same against ingress of water (unless in small amounts) during the sulfur-raising operation. This is raised by theavailable pressure in the deposit when the average density of the column of melted vsulfur is s'uiciently reduced by vthe compressed air from pipe Iw.

I- claim as lmyrinventionor discovery 1.: Apparatus for-mining by fusion, having three minev pipes namely a mine pipe {oli/raising'` the melted material provided with azdischarge above ground, amine pipe for the fusing fluid having a discharge nearl the bottom of the minecavity, Land a mine pipe in telescoping sections embedded in part in thealgroundr'and inclosing the other mine. ip`es,"substantia1ly as described.

` 2.: he combination with piping for introducing fusing fluid into an underground deposit, offa mine pipe for raisin the melted material provided with a disc arge nozzle which is closed at the end and has a lateral',discharge, and a casing which in' closes-said nozzle at ythe level of said discharge and is open below for the escapel of the melted v material, substantially as de- SIbed v ',3. Thecombination with piping for in troducin'gfusing fluid into an underground "de osit, 'of a mine pipe for raising the 'me ted material tially as described. vl -5. Apparatus for mining by fusion, in Lvwhich a minef pipe for the introduction of rovided with a discharge nozzle-'which is c osed at the end and has a lateral discharge, a casing which incloses said nozzle at -the level of said discharge and is.' openbelow'for the escape of the melted material, and a pipe delivering-compressed air or other aeriform fiuid intorthe lower `partfof the before mentioned pipe, substantially as described. c

` 4:. In apparatus for mining by fusion, a mine pipe for raisin the melted material, which plpe has'valve branches, one for discharging the melted material` the other for theintroduction of `fusing fluid when the 56' former branch is closed, in combination with a mine pipe forz the fusing fluid having a return passage below the discharge, substanfusing fluid has its'discharge 'located inv the deposit of fusible material being mined and r is provided below said discharge with a return lpassage through which the fusing fluid is de ivered into said deposit, substantially as describeds.

6., A mine pipe having discharge openings near its lower end and an extension below the discharge openings divided `by a partition so as to forma return passage leading to the, discharge, substantially asj described.

said' pipe, sai

f7. The combination with a continuous ipehavifg its bore closed and its wall perorated above such closure and provided i with an intervening imperforate portion, of an annular partition located at a distance from the upper end of said pipe and fittin at its own upper end against the inside o partition having an imperforate portiono posite the erforations in the pipe wall an a perforate portion opposite said imperforate portion of the pipe wall, 4substantially as described.

8. A pipe having its bore closed above the extremity of said pipe and .perforated both above and below such closure, in combination with a pipe extending through said closure and opening into the space below the same, and a partitlon located at a distance from the upper end of the first mentioned pipe and arranged to form a. return passage therein leadin 9; Apparatus for mining by fusion, hav# ing a minepipe for the introduction of fus ing fluid wit below said discharge, in which extension a a discharge' near the lower vend of the pipe and also with an extension to the perfrations above said closure, su stantially as described.

return passage leadin back to the discharge is located, and the said apparatus also hav'- ing a mine pipe for raising the melted materialeXtending-below the first mentioned pipe and opening into the space occupied lb the fused material, substantially as describe l0. Apparatlis for mining by fusion, in which a` mine pipe for, the introduction of fusing fluid has a return assage below the discharge, and in which a so vthe mine pipe for raising the melted material extends below the bottom of said returnpassage, said discharge bein located in the deposit of fusible materia being mined, 'substantially as described'. f

11. Apparatus for mining byfusion, hav-` ing fluid conveying piping with one or more fluid discharges in the-.deposit of fusible material being mined,`a mine ipe with an in-y take located belowv said discharges vin the space occupied by themelted material vfor raising such material, and a close heater 'intermediatethe intake for the melted ma` ing two -pipes which convey fusing fluid into an underground deposit and open at different levels'into said deposit, the outer pipe be` ing in telescoping sections, and also having v a pipe, for raising the melted material and a paratus, substantia close heater between the intake for the melted-materialand thev lowermost discharge for A fnslng fluid, substantmlly as descr1bed.

14. Mining a pparatusI which has means for delivering .mining fluid to an underground deposit and fdr enabling the mate rial mined by the aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the ground and which includes a conveying pipe embedded in the ground for a large part of its length .and rovided with a telescoping joint by the aid of which continuity of pipe connection is preserved while such subsidence of the lower part of said conveying pipe is permitted as might result from. a caving in of the ground in and above the deposit without involving the overlying earth, said conveying pipe having an inlet. and an outlet which communicaterespectively with said deposit and with an above ground portion of the aply as described.

15. Mining apparatus vwhich has means for delivering mining fluid to an underground deposit and for enabling the material mined by the aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the ground and which includes both conveying piping interposed between said deposit and an above ground portion of the iparatus and also an inclosing pipe embed ed in the ground 'for a large part of its length and provided with a'telescoping joint by the aid of which continuity of inclosure is preserved while such subsidence of the lower part Qi. said inclosing pipe is permitted as might result from a cavmg in ofthe ground in and above the deposit without involving the overlying earth, saitLpiping being surrouni'led bv said i inclosiiig pipe and projecting beyond the bottom ot the same, substantlally as described.

16. Mining appdratus which has means 'for delivering mining fluid to an underground deposit and for'enabling the material mined by the aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the ground and which includes both conveying piping interposed be- 'tween said deposit and an aboveground portionof the apparatus and also'av conveying and inclosing pipe embeddedin the ground for a large part of its length and provided with a telescoping joint by the aid of which continuityof pipe Aconnection ispreserved while such subsidence ofthe lower. part of said conveying and inclosing pipe is permitted as might result from a cavlng in of the ground in and above the depositvwithout involving the overlying earth, said pipin be- .ing surrounded by said`- conveying an inclosing plipc and projecting beyond the bottom o t e same, and the latter having, an in- A1 and an outletY which communicate rel spectively with sa-id deposit and with an above ground portion of the apparatus, s'11b stantially -as described.

17. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering hotI fluid for fusion purposes to an underground deposit of fusible material and for enabling the material melted by the' aid of' said fluid to be brought to the surface ofthe ground'and which lncludes a conveying pipe in telescoping sections with rotection against escape of fluid b way'o the telescoping joint when extende arranged to maintain continuity of pipe connection, the lower pipe section being embedded in the ground for a large part of its length and having an outlet which ,communicates with the deposit, and theupper pipe section having an inlet which communicates with a source of hot fluid under pressure for fusion purposes, substantially as described.

18. Mining apparatus' vwhich has means for delivering hot fluid for fusion purposes to an underground de osit of fusible materialA and for enabling t e material melted by the aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the ground and which includes both conveying piping interposed between said deposit and an above ground portion of the escoping sections 'with protection against escape of fluid by way of the telescoping joint when extended arranged to maintain continuity of inclosure, the lower pipe section being embedded in the ground for a large part of its length, and said piping being surrounded by said inclosing pipe and projecting beyond the bottom of the same, substantially as described.

19. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering hot fluid for fusion purposes teau underground deposit of fusible material and for enablinor the material melted by the -aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the ground, and which includes both conveying piping interposed between said deposit and an above ground portion of the apparatus and also a conveying and of the telescoping joint when extendedarranged to mamtain continuity of pipe connection, the lowerV i e section being embedE ded in the groun or a large part of its length and having an outlet which commu-v nicates with the deposit, and the upper pipe section having an inlet which communicates with a source of hot fluid under pressure for .fusion purposes, and said piping being surrounded by said conveyin and inclosing pipe and projecting beyon the bottom of the same, substantially as described.

20. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering hot fluid for fusion purposes to an underground deposit of fusible material and for. enablin the material melted by ,the aidof said fluld to be brought to the surface of: the ground andI whichlincludes a conveying pipe in telescoping sections with protect1on against escape of fluid by way of the telescoping joint when extended arranged toV maintain continuity o f pipe 'connection, the upper and lower pipe sections being ea'ch of them embedded in `the ground for a lar e part of its length, the lower sec- 4 tion havmg an outlet which communicates with. the deposit, and the upper sectionl having an inlet which communicates w1th a to an underground deposit of fusible material and for enabling the material melted by the aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the ground 4and which includes both conveying piping interposed between said deposit and an labove ground portion of the apparatus and also an inclosing pipe in telescoping sections with protection against escape of fluid vby wayof the telescoping joint when extended arranged to maintain continuity of inclosure, the upper and lower pipe sections being each of them embedded in the ground for a large part of its length, and said piping being surrounded by said inclosing pipe and projecting beyond the bottom of the same, substantially as described.

22. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering hot fluid for fusion purposes to an underground deposit of fusible material and for enabling the material meltedl by l the aid of said fluid to be brought to the sur- `face of the ground and which includes both conveying piping interposed between said deposit and an above ground portion of'the apparatus and alsoa conveying and inclosing pipe lin telescoping sections with protection against-escape of fluid by way of the telescoping joint when lextended arranged to maintain continuity,A of pipe connection, the upper and lower pipe sections being each of them embedded in the ground for a large part of its length, the lower section having an outlet which communicates with the deposit, the upper pipe sectionhaving an inlet which communicates with a. sourceof hot fluid under pressure for fusion purposes, and said piping being surrounded by said conveying and inclosing pipe and projecting beyond they bottom of the same, substantially as described. A

2,3. Mining apparatus which has means `.forfdelivering mining fluid to an underground depositand for enabling the material-"mined by the aid of said fluid to be brought-f tothe surface lof the ground and which'includes a pipe in telescoping sections with protection against escape of fluid by way. of the telescoping joint when extended arranged'to maintain continuity, the lower .tain continuity, the lower section being of section of smaller diameter than the upper/f. section and fitting within itbein -openaat the bottom and being embeddegll inv'lthe.

ground for a large part of itsleng't-hpsub stantially as described.

24. A mine pipe which conveys hot4 fluid underground for fusion purposes and is in'- telesco ing sections, the lower sectiony being embed ed in the ground below the bottom of the upper section for not less thanla sub- I stantial portion of the wells de th, and the upper section being additional y weighted, substantially as described.

25. A mine pipe which conveys hot fluid underground for fusion purposes and is in y`- telescoping sections, the lower sectionbeing" embedded in the ground below the bottom of the upper section for not less than a substantial portion of the wells depth', in co'm-l bination 'with mine piping suspended from the upper section of the first mentioned pipe, 1 substantially as described.

26. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering mining fluid to an underground deposit and for enabling the' material mined by thel aid of said fluid' to be' brought to the surface of the ground and which includes a pipe in vteles'copin Wsec'A i: tions with protection against escape o Ifluid by way of the telescoping joint when 'extended arranged'to maintain continuity,'"the lower section being of smaller diameter than` the upper section and being open atthe'botif tom, and each of said sections being emi-M bedded in the ground for a large part of itsv length, substantially as described.

27. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering mining fluid to an underground deposit and for enabling the material mined by the aid of said fluid to be -brought to the surface'ofthe ground and which includes a pipe in rtelescoping s e'c.

tions with slidable packing between thesections, the said pipe being arranged to mainsmaller diameter than 'the upper section andV being open at the bottom and being emc beddedI in the gro nd for a large part of its length. substantie ly as described.

` 28. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering mining fluid to an underground deposit and for enabling the mate rial mined by the aid of said fluid to be brought to the surface of the groundand which includes a .pipe in telescoping sections with slidable packing between the sections, the said pipe' being' arranged to maintain continuity, the lower section being off; smaller diameter than Vt-he upper section andf." being open at the bottom, andeach of said 125 sections being embedded in the ground for a large part of its length, substantiallyfas described.

29. Mining apparatus which has means for delivering mining fluid to an underisa gegund deposit andl forienabling the. material? mined .bythema of Said -auia to be -bi'ouglit to the surface lof the ground Aand which includes a pipe 4in telescoping seo- -tions with a follower and a gland on one of '-said sections and with interreningslidable packing between said follower and gland, the Vsald ,513e bein@ arranged to maintain i continuity, and the lower section being open at the bottom and, embedded in the ground fora large' 'part of its length, substantially as described. j

30. Mining apparatus whichv has means for delivering mining fluid to an under-. ground deposit and for enabling the 'material mined bythe aidof saidglluid to be lower'and gland, the saidA pipe being ar 'ranged to maintain continuity, and the lower section being ofsmaller. diameter than the upper sectio'nvand being open at the bottom and embedded in the ground for a large 'part of its'length, substantially as described. i y

3 1. Mining apparatus which has means for deliveringmining fluid to an underground. depositmand .for enabling the material mined' by the aid of said Huid to bel brought to the surface of the ground 'and which includes aV pipe in telescoping sections withfa follower and a glandonthe upper end of the lower section and with interveninfr ackino between' said follower z: P p

and gland, the said pipe'being arranged to 4maintain continuity, the lower section beingof smaller diameter than the upper sectionjand being openl at the bottom, and each 4of said sections being embedded in the part of its length, sub- '45 ground for a large stantially as describ In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two Subscribing witnesses.

HERMAN FRASCH.

F. W. LOTHMAN, J. C. UPDEGROVE. 

